Which option best matches the meaning of hinder?

• A. To hamper or impede
• B. To slow something down
• C. To limit someone's possibilities or the ability to do something
• D. To hinder

Answer: (A)

Hinder means to create obstacles or interfere with progress, making it harder for someone or something to move forward. The best match is “to hamper or impede” because those verbs describe putting up barriers and slowing down or stopping action. While “to slow something down” captures a possible effect of hindering, hindering can also stop progress entirely, which this option conveys more fully. “To limit someone's possibilities or the ability to do something” is related but centers on restricting options rather than the act of obstructing progress. Repeating the word itself isn’t a definition. For example, heavy rain hindered the outdoor game, and bureaucratic delays can hinder innovation.